What To Eat And What To Avoid When You Have Jaundice

Jaundice is an extremely common health condition. It occurs when a yellowish chemical compound called bilirubin, that is responsible for enabling your body to excrete unwanted substances reaches high levels. This disease is mostly observed in places that are characterized by low sanitation levels and lack of resources to consume a diet rich in essential nutrients. In India, a jaundice diet that consists of all the essential nutrients is typically prescribed by doctors to patients suffering from this condition.

In India, jaundice affects all sections of the population, from men, women to even infants. To combat this life threatening condition a diet for jaundice that is high in critical nutrients is recommended. This type of diet lowers the bilirubin levels which is the main cause of this disease. Let us find out how you can treat this condition with the help of a nutrient rich jaundice diet.

What Should We Eat in Jaundice in India?

Fruits and vegetables, Credit: Canva

Jaundice is characterized by liver inflammation. Patients with jaundice acquire a yellow coloured skin. It is because when their body breaks down RBCs or Red Blood Corpuscles in the liver, it leaves a by-product called bilirubin. This by-product appears yellow. It mixes with the blood in their body and imparts their skin a yellowish tinge. In jaundice, your liver faces difficulty in processing certain food groups and so you need to consume a jaundice diet that consists of only those food items that your liver can process with ease.

Consuming healthy and right kinds of food is extremely important if you want to recover from this disease. As a rule of thumb, limit your intake of all the oily food items. It is because when you are suffering from jaundice, your liver becomes weak and is not strong enough to process and digest high fat food items that contain large quantities of oil.

Keep in mind that only adhering to the advice of avoiding fatty food items will not make you heal and recover. You also need to consume the right diet, aka, jaundice diet consisting of specific food items. These food groups aid you in the process of recovery by detoxifying your liver. Regularly consuming these food items will rejuvenate the cells of your liver and help you heal and attain better health.

What Food Items Can You Eat in Jaundice?

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The following list of food items will give you a better insight regarding the food you should be including in your daily meals and which types of food you should be avoiding. A jaundice diet primarily consists of:

Cereals like suji, rice, poha, bread, and vermicelli. Keep in mind that you should strictly adhere to these grains only and avoid all other grains like millets,bajra, and ragi.
Every type of daal can be safely consumed in the jaundice diet. However, certain types of dals like green gram, bengal gram, and red gram should be avoided.
A diet for jaundice should include plenty of root vegetables like beetroot, turnips, sweet potatoes and potato. You should aim to include all kinds of vegetables in your meals like leafy greens. As for juices, you should strive to drink plenty of raw fruit juices. Sugarcane juice is one such type of juice that you can drink in high amounts.
Fruits as a food item acquire a prominent place in the jaundice diet. It is because fruits in general contain a heavy dose of antioxidants like vitamin C and minerals which collectively help to detoxify your body. Try to include fruits like lemons, papayas, kino, and mosambi as they contain a high level of vitamin C.
Lastly, do not forget to sip lots of water. Your body will be able to excrete all toxins.

What Should Not Be Eaten in Jaundice?

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There are certain food groups which should never be made a part of your jaundice diet. These food items are:

Alcohol, as it is a very toxic substance for the liver and body’s tissues. Its regular consumption can dramatically impede the functioning of your liver.
Packaged and canned food items like meat and other vegetables.
High fat dairy items like cheese, yogurt, and full cream milk.
Beef and pork, as they contain an extremely high amount of amino acids in them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jaundice Diet

Doctor with a patient, Credit: Canva

Since jaundice is a condition that can be cured mainly through diet, you need to remain mindful of what you eat. People often get confused between different types of food items and have various doubts regarding what to consume and what not. Here are some extremely common queries of people

1. Can we drink milk in jaundice?

Remember that jaundice is a condition where your liver becomes weak. It cannot digest high-fat food items. So, you should avoid consuming high cream and high fat milk by all means. Include toned or double toned milk in your diet and drink it in small quantities.

2. Can we eat eggs in jaundice?

Cholesterol should not be consumed by you in any form. Cholesterol iss present in dairy products and red meat that are high in saturated fats and trans fats. Egg contains very low amounts of saturated and trans fats. So, you can consume eggs but do not overdo it.

3. What should be my diet after jaundice recovery?

To remain in healthy condition after jaundice you should make it a point to consume lots of water. Do not consume any supplements without asking your doctor. Also, Do not touch alcohol for one to two months after recovering from jaundice. Do not engage in strenuous physical activity. Exclude high fat food items from your diet.

4. Can spinach help me recover from jaundice?

Spinach contains high quantities of fiber as well as antioxidants. They greatly assist in streamlining your digestion. Also, spinach is a very liver friendly food item. Hence, you can consume it in high proportions.